Release Detail

December 13, 2006 - New York Voters Split On Whether Hevesi Should Quit,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Most Oppose Closing Hospitals

New York State voters split on whether State Comptroller Alan Hevesi should remain in
office, with 45 percent who say he should resign and 43 percent who say he has paid the
state and should stay in office, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Eighty-four percent of voters have read or heard something about Comptroller
Hevesi using a state employee to drive his wife on private business.

Democrats say 49 - 37 percent that Hevesi should stay, while Republicans say
52 - 34 percent that he should resign, and independent voters say 52 - 40 percent that he
should go, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

Among those who say Hevesi should resign, 56 percent say that if he doesn't, he
should be removed by Eliot Spitzer when Spitzer becomes Governor in January, and 36
percent say he should be impeached by the State Legislature.

Hevesi gets a negative 17 - 24 percent favorability rating, with 24 percent mixed
and 32 percent who haven't heard enough about him to form an opinion.

"Just about everybody in New York knows the 'Driving Mrs. Hevesi' story by
now. Even though politicians seem to agree that Comptroller Alan Hevesi has to go, he
gets a split decision from the voters. His fellow Democrats want him to stay in office.
Republicans and independents want him out," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"But Hevesi has substantial support in all demographic groups," Carroll added.

"Almost half the voters say he's repaid the state and that's enough. But almost half
say he should quit."
Hospital Closings

New York State voters oppose 71 - 18 percent a recommendation by a special
state commission to close nine hospitals and merge several others.

Only 8 percent of voters say more hospitals should be closed in the state, with 82
percent opposed to closing more hospitals.

And voters say 68 - 26 percent that there are no hospitals in their community that
can be closed or consolidated with other hospitals.

"Close hospitals? No way, New Yorkers say.

"The take-it-or-leave-it hospital closing plan by the Berger Commission -- denying
the chance to pick it apart by pieces - has been swallowed by the big interest groups,
hospital management and labor. But there's not a single demographic group in the
Quinnipiac University poll that likes the idea," Carroll said.

"Not only does the closing plan get thumbs down, voters also say 'Not In My Back
Yard' to any other hospital closings."

From December 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,144 New York State
registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida,
Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.

8. To stabilize the healthcare industry in New York, the Commission on Health
Care Facilities has recommended closing 9 hospitals in New York and merging
several others. Do you support or oppose this plan?

21. (If "resign" q20) If Alan Hevesi refuses to resign from office do you
think that -- A) He should be removed by Elliot Spitzer when Spitzer becomes
Governor, or B) He should be impeached by the state legislature?